SOUTH WHITLEY – Homecoming Week ended with a bang for Whitko as the Wildcats put forth an all-out ground assault en route to a 51-19 victory over the Wabash Apaches Friday night. As involved as the football team was during the week, head coach Wayne Swender made certain his players didn't lose focus. “There's a lot of activities going on, but we wanted to make sure that we were focused at practice,” said Swender. “It's a fun week for the kids, but we wanted to make sure they didn't lose focus on what's important.” Sophomore backs Devin Gerding and Tanner Hughes split the work load for the Cats, combining for 175 yards on 19 carries with three touchdowns. Swender had high praises for everyone on offense. “It goes back to the linemen, they were doing their job play after play after play,” Swender said. “We've got some backs that can make some good things happen, and three of them are sophomores. They're just going to keep getting better.” The defense also had plenty of its own moments to shine. Just a little over four minutes into the game, senior linebacker Brett Ruckman intercepted a Kodi Clemons pass and returned it 35 yards. The suffocating defense also held the Apaches to less than 40 yards rushing in the first half. Senior quarterback and captain Alex Stoddard completed two of his eight passes, but both were for considerably large gains. Stoddard connected with Connor Stouder for a 62-yard pass play that opened up the game a bit and increased the Wildcat lead to 20-0 in the first quarter. Stoddard also ran for 35 yards on three carries, including a score of his own. As impressive as the Wildcats were on both sides of the ball, Stouder was announced the game's most valuable player by the school after his receiving touchdown and a 23-yard run for another score. Wabash would somewhat get out of the holes they had dug for themselves in the first half of play. Clemons found halfback Tyler Brewer wide open on a 60-yard pass play that put Wabash on the board in the second quarter. Brewer also finished with 63 yards on 12 carries with a rushing score. Clemons rushed for 65 yards on 18 carries during an overall offensive struggle for the Apaches. Swender also gave some of his reserves and underclassmen some playing time in the final quarter as the clock was winding down and they maintained their comfortable lead. “It's nice to be able to do that and it's nice for them to get some Friday night experience,” said Swender. “It was a nice homecoming win, just a good team effort overall.” Whitko travels to the northern edge of Wabash as they visit Northfield Friday, while Wabash will host Valley. “We've got to take one week at a time, but you can't expect to take anybody for granted,” Swender said. “You've got to respect everybody. Next week, we go to Northfield and they are a much, much improved team. They're playing well.”
